Date A Live Season 1 – Animacsoft 101 Review

Hi, Minna! I’d like to give my review for DATE A LIVE Season 1. Because it’s my passion to give a review once I finished the anime per season. Nonetheless, Before I delve myself watching this show, I was so curious with Kurumi Tokisaki because she always pumped up in my timeline (FB account). Other than that, I’ve been seeing her face on various FB groups and comparing to QUEEN of Yanderes – Yuno Gasai (from Future Diary). So, I was like Oh! I should include this one in my watchlist. Apart from the Yandere characters, I also got hooked with the animation. And when I first saw the episode one, something strange from the show. It was like I’m happy with filled with an excitement and at the same time feeling dull at all. Perhaps I’m an avid fan of fantasy and dark genres.

But as I go deeper, I must say this in-depth anime is something good to recommend to my fellow anime lovers 🙂

Anime: Date A Live

Genres: Comedy, Harem, Mecha, Romance, School, Sci-Fi

Studio: AIC Plus+

Aired: Apr 6, 2013 to Jun 22, 2013

Overall score: 8.88

Plot

Itsuka Shido is a high school boy. On the last day of the spring holidays, an explosion destroys the town and a girl in armor appears in front of him. Shido’s step-sister, Kotori, tells him that the girl is called “Special Disasterous Designated Creature: Spirit”, which causes a timespace quake. Kotori disclosed that she is the commander of the anti-spirit organization Ratatosk and orders him to go out on a date with the spirit girl. Kotori says, “I don’t ask you to beat the spirit. Just let her fall in love with you and save the world.” (Source: MAL News)

Story (8.5)
The story of Date a Live is a tad bit common. I mean, you can easily predict the story and it’s indeed fuzzy til now. This was noticed in Episode 5. And I figure out that story goes like this “Shido needs to date them and kissing every Spirit that appears on earth in order to prevent the chaos and sealed inside his body”. – That’s it and besides, it’s Harem. I’ve noticed that the story seems too serious and forcibly putting a comedy scene in the show. I’m not saying that the story is terrible, but you might gain some enjoyment in the show. There’s no pacing issue here and no wonder why it got 2nd Season. You might be wondering what makes me interested from the story? Well, the fact it’s fantasy, It has a lot of surprises that you couldn’t expect on it. 🙂

Characters (9.2)
The development of each character is truly exceptional! This may be the reason why this category stands out. It has been unveiled some back story of each character. And this was proven, although it contains 12 episodes long when Tobiichi, Origami reveals that the one who killed his parents is the spirit inside of Itsuka, Kotori, named “Efreet”. And I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t like some characters of Date a Live? They’ve been seeing it as annoying. Well, in fact, is just fascinating, right? Who cares? What do you think you’d expect from HAREM?

Animation (9.0)
The animation of Date a Live is fascinated. The art style is totally modern. And it’s completely different from other HAREM genres like Heaven Lost Property and Samurai Bride. I mean, if you ask me, I would probably bias to Date a Live when it comes to the art style. Well, to tell you the truth, the first thing that interests me in deciding whether to watch anime or not is its animation. If I found it dull I may be dropped it. Nevertheless, I truly commend AIC Plus+ Studio for doing a great job.

Sample Screenshots:

Music/Sound (8.8)
The Opening Song is quite a simple and yet very earnest. This proves me that the story is mandatory to be serious like Fate Stay Night: UB. The Ending Song Theme is nothing special to me, I mean, I wasn’t hooked at all. Maybe am not a type of person who is sharp with the music industry.

Opening Theme Song

Enjoyment (8.9)
As I said, Date a Live is something you would probably gain some enjoyment here. It has a lot of surprises and fight scenes that were shown:)

Conclusion:
Maybe some of you don’t like this type of anime because of mess story and fuzzy characters. Well, I’ll tell you, I strongly disagree! I would consider Date a Live somewhat as fun as hell. As I’ve said earlier, it has a lot of wondrous fight scenes. It may not be suited for you, but for the deserving people. I hope you’re gonna watch it too, as well as the second season 🙂